A Tribute to Us, the Start of Forever

Welcome to the chapter where “Happily Ever After” kicks off with sun, sand, and a little rum! Our honeymoon in St. Croix was everything we dreamed of …and then some. As newlyweds, it wasn’t just a vacation… it was a celebration of love, partnership, and the sweet beginning of our life together. Here’s a glimpse into the beauty, laughter, and soul-filling moments we shared on this perfect island getaway.

The Perfect Escape: Private Villa, Poolside Bliss & Ocean Serenades

We stayed at a private beach villa that felt like it was carved out of a dream. With nothing but the pool and the ocean in our backyard… it was pure paradise. From every window, the view was postcard worthy .. whether it was the kitchen, the bedroom, or the pool deck, we were surrounded by shades of blue that made our souls sigh. It was peaceful and secluded, the kind of quiet that melts stress away, but close enough to island life whenever we wanted to explore.

We spent hours floating in the pool, soaking up the sun, and napping in a hammock that overlooked the waves. One hilarious highlight…. Dozing off only to be startled awake by the pool guy! Barely dressed, we bolted inside, laughing so hard that even the ocean seemed to chuckle along with us.
Ah, newlywed moments!

West is Best: Rainforest Adventures & Beer-Drinking Pigs

We knew we were in the right spot with St. Croix’s west side motto, “West is Best.” It’s the quieter, more peaceful side of the island, just how we like it. But even amidst the peace, we found time for a little adventure. Deep in the rainforest, we stumbled upon the Mt. Pellier Domino Club, home to none other than beer drinking pigs. Yes, you read that right… pigs that love their brews. Watching those little snout-sippers enjoy their drinks was a sight to behold! Talk about finding unexpected treasures.

A Taste of the Island: Rum & Chickens

No trip to the Caribbean is complete without sampling the local flavors, and St. Croix delivered in spades. We toured the Cruzan Rum Distillery, where we learned the magic behind the island’s famous spirit and sampled our fair share (for research purposes of course). And then there was the unforgettable lunch at Shupe’s.

Picture this: We’re enjoying the waterfront views when a man rolls up with a cart full of cages. Chickens. Lots of them. Naturally, I joked, “All fresh chicken…” And within minutes, one of those chickens was in the back, prepping to become dinner. We couldn’t stop laughing ….you can’t get fresher than that!

Sunrise at Point Udall: A Spiritual Awakening

One of the most unforgettable moments came when we visited Point Udall, the easternmost point of the United States. We arrived in the early morning darkness, joining a small group of locals who gathered to greet the day with drums, songs, and joyful hearts. As the first light began to paint the sky, the night slowly bowed out, and a new day emerged. It wasn’t just a sunrise… it was a spiritual moment, a reminder of God’s Grace. Saying goodbye to the night and welcoming the light felt symbolic, like a beautiful metaphor for marriage: another day, another beginning, another opportunity to love deeply and live fully.

As the sun climbed higher, we captured photos of the giant sundial at Point Udall, framed perfectly by the morning sky. It was a sunrise we’ll never forget…. the first of many sunrises as husband and wife.

Back to Reality: Work Calls, but the Memories Stay

All good things must come to an end, and eventually, we had to leave our paradise behind to rejoin the real world. As much as we didn’t want to trade in ocean waves for work emails, we returned with hearts full of love, bellies full of food and rum, and memories we’ll cherish forever.

Now it’s time to get back to sheds, U-Hauls, Real Estate, Teaching, and, well… adulting. But as we dive back into our busy lives, these memories will always be tucked away in our hearts, ready to remind us that the best part of life isn’t just in the adventure… it’s in the partnership we share every day.

And so, our journey continues. The ocean may be miles away now, but the love we celebrated on that secluded island stays with us always. Here’s to us, to love, and to the beauty of saying goodbye to the night and hello to the light, every single day.

PS: The pigs say cheers. 🐷🍺

*All photos captured by my Handy-Dandy iPhone 16 Pro Max